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Rose Renton
Photograph of cannabis activist Rose Renton.
Renton in 2019
Born
Rose Renton

Neesoon, Singapore [citation needed]
Known forCannabis activism
Websitebyrose.co.nz

Rose Renton is a Singapore-born New Zealand cannabis activist,[1] known for her work advocating for medicinal cannabis. Renton has campaigned for medicinal cannabis law reform and the right to grow plants, coordinating a petition which was presented to Parliament in 2016. She has also worked as a "green fairy",[2][note 1] providing her own home-made medicinal cannabis to patients prior to legalisation, a subject of numerous documentaries and media interviews.[3][4][5][6]

Renton became a high-profile figure in cannabis law reform in 2015 when her late son, Alex Renton, became the first person in New Zealand to be legally treated with medicinal cannabis oil under a special exemption by then Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne.[7]

Renton was a prominent advocate of medicinal cannabis in the 2010s,[8][9][10] and was transparent about her operation growing cannabis and supplying cannabis-based products to New Zealanders with medical conditions, despite the illegality of it at the time. After her work was widely reported in New Zealand media, her activities were deemed in violation of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 by authorities. In October 2017, Renton faced 14 years in prison after being charged with cultivating high cannabidiol cannabis plants, processing cannabis products and possessing cannabis for supply.[8] She was subsequently discharged without conviction on all charges after a judge deemed her motivations "altruistic."[11]

Personal life

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Renton was born to New Zealand parents in Singapore, and left to New Zealand when she was two years old.[1] Renton lives in Nelson, New Zealand, and has seven children.[12] She separated from her partner in 2018.[13]

Renton's work has seen her exposed to numerous legal issues. Despite this, she has stated she is grateful to the court system and police for acknowledging the "altruistic nature of my healing work."[14] For much of her career as an activist, she has been represented by Sue Grey, a lawyer who has advocated for other cannabis activists.[15][16][17]

Renton runs a website BYROSE, runs a remedies course on Teachable,[14] and maintains an online presence.[18] In 2021, she started a private invite-only website to sell medicinal products.[19] Renton has also run a consultancy service on traditional Feng Shui, having studied it in 1996 under the guidance of Joseph Yu.[1]

Activism

[edit]

Renton's activism has included petitions and campaigns, various media appearances, and the use of social media. She has advocated for the right for people to grow their own cannabis as an alternative to commercial pharmaceuticals. She has criticised the high cost of products like Sativex and advocates for local production of cannabis medicines and remedies.[5] Renton voted in favour of the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill in the 2020 New Zealand cannabis referendum, citing her concerns about the safety and quality of available cannabis.[20]

Alex Renton campaign

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In 2015, Renton's 19-year-old son, Alex, was locked in an induced coma in Wellington Hospital after an acute prolonged epileptic seizure.[7] He had developed encephalitis and was suffering from refractory status epilepticus.[21][22] There was no legal framework to support the official use of cannabis-based medicines at the time.

Renton and her family campaigned for her son to be able to access a cannabis treatment. Peter Dunne, who was then the Associate Health Minister, approved the use of medical cannabis, allowing for a prescription of Elixinol, a cannabis oil.[21][23] Renton later admitted to secretly giving her son a cannabis oil product prior to receiving official approval, unwilling to wait for a special exemption which took 66 days.[24][12]

Alex Renton had reportedly opened his eyes and started moving after receiving cannabis oil, but remained unconscious. He died on 1 July 2015 from his condition, three weeks after receiving his first legal dose; 43 other medications had also been given to him.[25][26][27] More than 200 people attended his memorial celebration.[28]

Law reform petition

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Following the death of her son, Renton became a prominent campaigner for medical cannabis to be urgently made available to New Zealanders.[27] In March 2016, Renton started a petition advocating for safe, affordable access to medicinal cannabis, and began holding rallies and protests to drum up support.[29][27] The petition collected around 17,500 signatures, and was conducted both in-person and online. Renton presented the petition at the New Zealand Parliament to Labour and Green politicians in October 2016.[30][31] The petition was considered significant to the momentum of medicinal cannabis reform.[32]

Green fairy and cannabis supply

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Renton identified herself as a green fairy, providing illegal medicinal cannabis products to patients with medical conditions. Renton is open about her work, describing her home-made process in various media interviews, and has discussed the pressure of supplying sick and vulnerable patients in need while risking criminal prosecution.[2][20][33][34] Consequently, her work drew attention from authorities, who deemed it in violation of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.

In October 2017, Renton faced 14 years in prison after being charged with cultivating high cannabidiol cannabis plants, processing cannabis products and possessing cannabis for supply.[31][8][16] She was discharged without conviction on three charges in November 2018 after a judge ruled her motivations were "altruistic."[11] She was cleared of cannabis cultivation charges in 2019, a judge ruling that the consequences would be "out of proportion" to the offense and would prevent her from obtaining a cannabis license under the introduced legal framework.[35]

In late 2019, Renton stated she would retire from being a "national green fairy," and would be focusing on her family.[15]

Environmental activism

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Renton protested poison drops in 2017 after witnessing an aerial brodifacoum drop in the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary.[13] Renton and her then husband reportedly confronted then local MP Nick Smith, and spread rat poison around him and on his suit in an act of protest.[36] Police used a search warrant to access Renton's home and recover a cellphone which contained a video of the incident.[13] Renton and her husband were found guilty of offensive behaviour and fined. Renton stated she did not regret the incident for bringing attention to the issue.[37]

Awards and media

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In 2019, Renton was among 14 recipients of the Kiwibank Local Hero Medal for her work in Nelson supporting the sick and vulnerable.[38] However, in 2020, Kiwibank dropped her as a client and closed her bank accounts.[39][9][10] The incident was condemned by some,[40] including Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick, who said it highlighted an "unjust system."[41]

Renton was the inaugural winner of the NORML NZ Medicinal Cannabis Breakthrough Award 2016 for her petitioning and campaigning in medicinal cannabis law reform.[42]

In 2015, Renton appeared in the documentary series Druglawed by Arik Reiss.[6][43] She was in attendance at the screening in 2015.[44]

In 2019, Renton appeared in the documentary On Weed by Patrick Gower.[34] In 2020, she appeared in a video feature on The Spinoff, discussing her work as a green fairy with comedian Michèle A’Court.[20][33]

Notes

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  1. ^ 'Green fairy' is a term for a provider of home-made medicinal cannabis products, typically black market.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Smith, Royden (3 June 2016) [27 May 2016]. "Nelson Branch Newsletter No. 4 - May, 2016". New Zealand China Friendship Society Inc. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b Palmer, Scott (12 September 2019). "The 'green fairies' illegally supplying weed to Kiwis with health problems". Newshub. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  3. ^ Brown, Russell (28 June 2024). "Medicinal cannabis: For the love of her son". NZ Herald. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  4. ^ Re: News (11 November 2019). The green fairy advocating for medicinal cannabis. Retrieved 28 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ a b RNZ (27 April 2017). Medical Marijuana – Life in the Waiting Room. Retrieved 28 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ a b Druglawed (30 June 2017). DRUGLAWED 2 Ep2 Specialist (FREE-TO-VIEW). 3 minutes in. Retrieved 28 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ a b "'Right call' made over medical marijuana". Otago Daily Times Online News. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  8. ^ a b c "Nelson medical cannabis campaigner Rose Renton facing drugs charges". NZ Herald. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Kiwibank shuts down 'green fairy' account after giving her 'local hero' medal". Otago Daily Times Online News. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Kiwibank to shut down 'green fairy's' bank account after awarding her 'local hero' medal". Newshub. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  11. ^ a b Gee, Samantha (11 February 2019). "'Green fairy' Rose Renton discharged without conviction over cannabis charges". Stuff. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  12. ^ a b Arnold, Naomi (27 January 2016). "National Portrait: Rose Renton, medical marijuana campaigner". Stuff. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  13. ^ a b c Gee, Samantha (11 May 2018). "Rat poison a symbolic gesture, Renton says". Stuff. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Rose's Remedies". rosesremedies.teachable.com. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  15. ^ a b Neal, Tracy (7 November 2019). "Medicinal cannabis supplier Rose Renton calls quits on being 'green fairy'". RNZ. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Well known Nelson green fairy faces prosecution". New Zealand Doctor. 12 July 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  17. ^ Todd, Katie (5 May 2021). "'Green fairies' increasingly getting charged, lawyer says". RNZ. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  18. ^ Renton, Rose. "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  19. ^ "By Rose – Hemp Health & Wellness Products". By Rose NZ. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  20. ^ a b c The Spinoff (5 August 2020). The green fairies fighting for legal weed in New Zealand | On the Rag: Weed. Retrieved 28 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  21. ^ a b "Minister: Cannabis decision not precedent". RNZ. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  22. ^ Knott, Stacey (24 April 2015). "Family in shock as Nelson teenager placed in induced coma". Stuff. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Peter Dunne has no regrets over use of cannabis oil". NZ Herald. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  24. ^ Cooper, Emily (20 July 2015). "Dunne: Secret cannabis oil dosages unwise". Newshub. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  25. ^ "Alex Renton passes away". ZB. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  26. ^ "Teen in medical cannabis case dies". Otago Daily Times Online News. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  27. ^ a b c O'Connell, Tim (2 July 2016). "Mother still battling for Alex Renton, one year after teen's death". Stuff. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  28. ^ Jolliff, Emma (11 July 2015). "Hundreds attend Alex Renton memorial celebration". Newshub. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  29. ^ Long, Jessica (23 April 2016). "Medicinal cannabis rally held in Nelson by mother of late teen Alex Renton". Stuff. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  30. ^ Heron, Mei (12 October 2016). "Alex Renton's mum presents reform petition to Parliament". RNZ. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  31. ^ a b Gee, Samantha (17 October 2017). "Medicinal cannabis campaigner Rose Renton facing cannabis charges". Stuff. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  32. ^ Davidson, Isaac (12 October 2016). "Political momentum growing for legalising medicinal cannabis – advocate". NewstalkZB. Retrieved 28 June 2024 – via NZ Herald.
  33. ^ a b Rag, the (6 August 2020). "The green fairies at the forefront of New Zealand's fight to legalise cannabis". The Spinoff. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  34. ^ a b Swarbrick, Chlöe (11 September 2019). "420 stars: Chlöe Swarbrick reviews Paddy Gower's new cannabis doco". The Spinoff. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  35. ^ "Cheers as Rose Renton, who fought for dying son, cleared of cannabis cultivation charge". 1News. 11 February 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  36. ^ Jones, Katy (5 September 2017). "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  37. ^ Gee, Samantha (12 July 2018). "Rose Renton guilty of offensive behaviour after poison incident". Stuff. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  38. ^ "Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards". Facebook. 29 October 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  39. ^ "Cannabis campaigner has her bank accounts closed". RNZ. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  40. ^ du Plessis-Allan, Heather (8 September 2020). "Heather du Plessis-Allan: Kiwibank's ethical stance is driving divisions". ZB. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  41. ^ Cheng, Derek (8 September 2020). "A year ago Kiwibank gave her a medal. Now, they're shutting down her account". NZ Herald. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  42. ^ "NORML Awards – NORML New Zealand". norml.org.nz. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  43. ^ "Exclusive: Film director escapes conviction over drug charges". NZ Herald. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  44. ^ Knott, Stacey (21 September 2015). "Campaigners calling for conversation on cannabis law". Stuff. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
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